Warp knitting machine



Feb. 15, 1949. F. LAMBACH 2,461,550

WARP KNITTING MACHINE I Filed Spt'. 20, 1945 e Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR fie/r2 LAMBACH J ATTORNEY Feb. 15, 1949. LAMBACH 2,461,550

I WARP KNITTING MACHINE I Filed Sept. 20, 945 e sheets-sheet 2.

\\\\\\\\ IVENTOR m ATTORNEY Feb. 15, 1949. AMB H 2,461,550

WARP KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 20, 1945. r v e Sheets-Sheed s INVENTOR fQ/TZ AAMBACH lm, ATTORNEY Feb. 15, 1949. F, LAMBACH, 2,461,550

T WARP KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 20, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 VENTOR flQ/rz LAMB/46H W 2 4r, ATTORNEY w J m mmw v S F LAMBACH I WARP KNITTING MACHINE Feb. 15, 1949.

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept 20, 1945 YINVENTOR f'xwrz 1%5467/ LATTORNEY Feb. 15, 1949.

F. 'LAMBACH WARP KNITTING MAGHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 20, 1945 INVENTQR fiP/TZ [AMBACH Y KORNEY Patented Feb. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,461,550 7 WARP KNITTING MACHINE Fritz Lambach, Tenafly, N. J. Application September 20, 1945, Serial No. 617,537

22 Claims.

My invention relates to textile machines, and more particularly to warp knitting machines, wherein reciprocable sinkers are arranged for holding down the fabric when the needles are moved upwardly. If such warp knitting machines are equipped with one or more reciprocable filler thread carriers for laying filler thread substantially parallel to the series of needles, such reciprocable sinkers act also as socalled filler sinkers for placing the filler thread laid by said filler thread carrier or carriers into position to be incorporated into the fabric produced by the knitting implements of the machine.

An object of my invention is to improve on the construction, arrangement and shape of such sinkers in said types of warp knitting machines.

In the hitherto customary warp knitting machines of above describedtypes there are many factors having an unfavorable influence on the construction, arrangement and shape of the sinkers. For example, it is customary to provide the sinkers at their ends with tine like projections arranged for receiving the filler thread laid by the filler thread carrier, as shown for example in the U. S. Patent 2,200,280 to Klumpp and Lambach. It has been found in practice, that said tine like projections are often the cause of disturbances. When, during the knitting operations, the reciprocable filler sinkers are moved forwardly toward the needles, one or the other of said tine like projections arranged for entering into the extremely small space between the needles may accidentally. hit such a needle and cause a bending thereof, inasmuch as the hitherto known machines are not equipped with means capable of guiding the free ends of the filler sinkers. Moreover, said tine like pro-' jections of the filler sinkers may easily cause an undesired displacement of the warp yarns run-' ning from the warp guides of the machine to the needles, when the filler sinkers are moved toward the needles. v

Furthermore, in the hitherto known warp knitting machines of above described types the customary arrangement of a stationary latch retaining wire cooperating with the latches of latch needles has an unfavorable influence on the shape of the active end portion of the sinkers, as care has to be taken, that the sinkers do not come into engagement with said latch retaining wire during their forward movement. On the other hand, such a stationary latch retaining wire is subject to undesired vibrations caused by the warp yarns, when the latter hit said wire during a backward movement of the vide a warp knitting machine of above described type with means guiding the free ends of the sinkers. V I

7 It is still another object of my invention. to provide a warp knitting machine of above described type with meansshielding the free ends of the filler sinkers when thelatter are intheir extreme backward position so as to' prevent an undesired engagement between the filler sinkers and the filler thread carrier. or carriers when the latter are moved for laying filler thread.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a warp knitting machine of above described type, wherein .the sinke'rs and the latch retaining wire are in close proximity to each other when the sinkers are in their extreme forward position.

With the above and other objects of the in;

vention in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of. various devices, elements ,and parts, as set forth in the claims hereof, certain embodiments of the same being described in the specificati-on and being illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein: a

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view.of a warp knitting machine according to the invention, some parts being broken away and some parts being shown in section,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of thewarp knitting machine, taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to the sectional view shown in Fig. 2, said Fig. 3, however, illustrating only the knitting implementsv and their actuating, drives in an enlarged scale,

Fig. 4 isa vertical sectional view of the ma chinetaken on line 44 of Fig. 1, said Fig. 4Y

illustrating the latch retainer drive, I

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary right-hand side elevational view of the warp knitting machine, illustrating the carrier drive actuating the reciprocable filler thread carrier,

"Fig. 6 is a top plan'vie'w of a set of guiding elements extending between a stationary part of the machine and the trick plate and cooperating with the reciprocable filler sinkers,

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the machine taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 6,

Figs. 8-13 are somewhat diagrammatical illustrations of various positions of the latch needles, the filler sinkers', the guides, and the latch retaining wire relative to each other during a knitting operation.

Referringnow'to Eigsi andEZJU. generally in-.- dicates the frame of the warp knitting machine composed of several parts in any suitable manner: A main cam shaft 22 journalled in suitable, bear ings of the frame may be rotated by-a motor Zk connected with said main cam shaftzthrough: a belt drive generally indicated by 26.

Several sinker bar cams 2B-(onlyone' being shown in the drawings) are keyed to themain: cam shaft 22. Each of .said sinker bar cams 28 is. in operative engagement witha roller. 30. (see. Figsl; 2and 3) rotatably'mountedlon aisinker. bar rocker 32'keyed1t'o a. sinker. bar shaft. 34 rotatably mounted in. suitable. bearings of. the. frame; At'ension spring},Estretchedlietweenone. end of said sinker bar rocker:32andla stationary point'.38 oi" the machine tends to, urge the roller 30 against the surface of the sinker. bar. cam-28.

The'other end' of said sinker bar rocker, 32 and.

the'free end of a plurality of'sinkerbar arms40 keyed to the sinker bar shaftli icarry a sinker bar secured to said endsof the sinker bar. rocker and sinker'bar armsby screws. The, sinker bar.

42'extending over the width of the warp knitting.

machine carries aserles-of filler. sinker-s 44' secured thereto inyany suitable manner. Above. describedlsinker bar drive 28',',.31l;.32, 3,4,ldll;.asso.- ciated' with said: sinker bar. 42- may. reciprocate.

the' sinker bar 42" with its. filler. sinkers Minav forward and backwardv direction. in. dependence on the shape of'the sinker bar. cam;28..

Furthermore, severarneedlebar cams. 46 are.

keyed to the main cam shaft-22 Each of. said needle" bar cams cooperates. with. a roller 48. journalled on a needle bar. rocker 56 swingably mounted on the sinker bar shait34; Atension.

spring firstretched'betiveen the needlebar. rocker. Dand the stationary point 38 of'the machine tends to urge the roller 48 againstthe surface of the needle bar cam.46.. On eachside of the. a

needle bar rocker 50, one. end. of. aiconnecting. link 5'4 is pivoted to. the needle. bar. rocker Swat. 56;. The'other endi'oi said connecting link. 54. is pivotally. and, adjustably. connected. with. a.

needle. bar arm 58 keyedjtoaneedleban shaft-60. a

rotatably: mounted' in. suitable. bearings. oil the. frame 20*. A needle bar 62 carrying a seriesof latch needles BIL andextendingover. thewidth of: themachineis secured.to.the-needle.bar. arms. 58; by, screws; Each. of the: latch. needles. passes. through a slot 66 of'a trickplate...B8Q=secured total member 1,0,of the..fr.ame.-. Abovadescribedmeedle guide bar cam 12. One end of a connecting link 8B is pivotally and adjustably connected with the guide bar rocker 16 at 82, the other end of said connecting link 80 is pivoted to one end of a guide bar arm 84 at 86. The other end of said guide bar arm 84 is keyed to a guide bar shaft 88 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings of the frame 20. A plurality of guide bar hangers generally indicated by 90 is secured to said guide bar-shaft 88. Said guide-bar hangers 98. carry a plurality of. guide. bars. 92' (in. the embodiment shown in the drawings, the machine is equipped with five guide bars) extending over the width of the machine. Each of said guide bars 52 car ries a series of warp guides 94, by means of which warp yarnszBB (see Fig. 2) drawn from rotatable V warp beams 98 are fed to the latch needles 64.

shown. in. the drawings) in a manner known per. se.

As best shown in Figs. 3', 6 and'l, several blocks- Iilii are securedto a stationary bar: Hi2 extending over. the width of. the machine; said bar I02 forms apartoijthe frame 282 element's. lil.4,,lll6, I68 is inserted into a recess N0 of.' each block Hit}. The guiding. elements I04, we, IIl'B' are securedto' the block I69 by a pin H2 passing. through registering, holes in the wall of the blockandlin the guiding elements. guidingel'ements I84, I 06,1 83 secured to the block I 00', which in turn is secured to the bar I62 form stationary elements of the. machine Furthermore, .theguiding elements IE4, IE6, I98 are connected witheach other. at their ends projecting;

from the block. ma; by a. pin H4 passing through registering; holes. of the. guiding elements. The

as thick. as the. mainbody of the guiding. elements I05; I581 The guiding elements I06, I68 each have aniofi'set, projection I16, H3,.respectively,,

ini alignment. and in loose engagement with a partition I20, of the trick plate I58 adjacent the slot receiving the reciprocable. latch needle. 54. This arrangementiof. said-projections II6 and H8 ofjtheJguidingelements. I 86. and I DBinalignment her drive. 48;-48; 5B2, 54', 58 associated. with; the.

needle bar 62., may reciprocatesaidlneedie. bar 62" with itsclatchineedles 64 in an. upwardland downward direction independence on the. shape. of'the needle bar cam 46'. I

Furthermore, several guide bar; cams I2 are keyecLto. the mairncamshait Z2; Eachof said guide bar" cams. cooperateswith a: roller, 14.

rotatably mounted on a" guide bar rocker" 7.6 swingably mounted'on the sinker barshaftflfd. A tension" spring is stretched between the guide b'ar rocker I6 and the stationary point 38' tends" to urge the roller '14 against-the surfaceiof the with the partitions. IZBI permits a freeupward and downwardmovement of; the latch needles 64 and.

swingingofthe.latches 122 about. their pivot' I24 on the. latchv needles. 6.4.v duringthe. performance of. knitting... operations... The, main body of. the

guiding elements Hi4, I05,,IBB is arranged'in such:

a w.ay,.thatisnaces I25. are. formed, which. areiin line withthepartitions-I28 of. thetrick plate. Each. of. said. spaces IZB- is; in turn, arranged for receiving a filler'sinker 44, so that the filler sink:

ets. are guided by the-guiding elements. H34, 06,

ms during aforward'andbackward movement of thefillensinkersAi by. means-of the sinker bar drive. described above. Said guiding. of the free ends of; the. filler sinkers. 44. assures a proper enteringthereoi intdthe space between the latch. needles 6.4, so.thati they cannot hit the latch needlesf-andicannot disnlacethe warp yarns when they are moved forwardly into the extreme for.- wardp'osition shown in dash and dot lines inFig.

7; Furthermore, as: may be readily gathered A series of spaced guiding;

Thus, the.

from Fig. 7 illustrating the two extreme positions of a filler sinker 44, a portion of each filler sinker is always in the space I26 (see Fig. 6) between adjacent guiding elements for being, embraced by the latter, so that anundesired abutment of a filler sinker against a stationary guiding element during a movement of the filler sinkers-from the extreme retracted position to the extreme advanced position is eliminated. Moreover, the upper edge of each of the spaced stationary. guiding elements I04, I06, I08 is shaped in such a way, that it shields the free end of the adjacent filler sinker 44, when the latter is in its extreme backward position as shown in full lines in Fig. 7. As will be readily understood, the spaced stationary guiding elements I04, I06, I08 form a bridge extending over the width of the machine.

As best shown in Fig. 1, an endless band I28 of flexible material is trained around two drums I30, I32. Each of said drums is journalled in suitable bearings of brackets mounted on the frame. The driun I32 is connected with a drive, the so-called carrier drive, to be described hereinafter, by means of which the drum I32 may be alternatively rotated in clockwise direction and counter-clockwise direction, whereby a reciprocating movement is imparted to the band I28 at predetermined intervals. A filler thread carrier generally indicated by I34 is secured in any suitable manner to said flexible band I28. The drawings illustrate only one filler thread carrier-,but it is understood that a plurality of filler thread carriers may be attached to the band I28, if desired. The filler thread carrier receives a filler thread I36 (see Fig. 3) from a filler thread supply (not shown). When the filler thread carrier I34 is moved by means of the band I28from its extreme right-hand position into its extreme lefthand position and vice versa, filler thread is laid by said filler thread carrier I34 substantially parallel to the series of latch needles 64 onto the guiding elements-I04, I06, I08 forming a bridge between the stationary member I 02 and the trick plate 63 as described above. The reciprocating movement of the filler thread carrier I34 takes place when the filler sinkers 44 are in their extreme backward position as shown in Figs. 3 and 7. As mentioned above, thefiller sinkers are shielded by the guiding elements I04, I06, I08,

when they are in said extreme backward position, so that they are protected from an undesired accidental engagement of the moving filler thread carrier with their free end portion.

The carrier drive associated with the filler thread carrier I34 for reciprocating same is best shown in Figs. 1 and 5. A pinion I 38 keyed to the end of the main cam shaft 22 is in mesh with a gear I40 keyed to a shaft I42 journalled in suitable bearings of the frame. A cam I44 keyed tosaid shaft I42 is in engagement with a roller I46 rotatably moiuited on a rocker I48 keyed to a shaft I50-journalled in bearings of the frame.-

A tension spring I52 stretched between the rocker I48 and a stationary point I54 of the machine tends to urge the roller I46 against the surface of the cam I44. An arm I56 having a slot I58 is keyed to the shaft I50. A pivot I60 pivotally connecting the arm I56 with one end of a connecting link I 62 may be adjusted in a desired position in said slot I58. The other end of said connecting link I 62 is pivoted to an arm I 64 at I66. Said arm I 64 is keyed to a shaft I68 journalled in-bearings of the frame. The end of an arm I keyed to said shaft I68 is pivoted to one end of a connecting rod I12 at I14.- The other end of said connecting-rod I12 is. pivotedto a rackI16 at I18.. Said rack I16'is-slidably ar-' ranged in a guide I 80 mounted on abracket I82 the filler thread carrier to the right or to the left depending on the upward or downward movement of the rack I16 in dependence on the shape of the cam I44. The ratio between the pinion I38 and the gear I is 1:2, and the cam I 44 is of such a shape, that the filler thread carrier performs either one movement to .the right or one move-' ment to the left at a predetermined interval during one full rotation of the main cam shaft 22, i. e. one cycle, of knitting operations. The length of the stroke of the filler thread carrier or carriers maybe adjusted by an adjustment of the pivot I in a predetermined position relative to the slot I58.

As best shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the machine is equipped with a latch retaining wire I88 extending over the width of the machine for cooperation with the latches of the latch needles at- 40 engaged with threaded bores of said members 202 and 204. Said threaded bolt 206 permits an adjustment of the length of the connecting link 200.

The other end of said connecting link 200 is pivoted at 208 to an arm 2I0 keyed to the sinker shaft 34. Thus, the latch retainingwire I88 stretched between the bell crank levers I90 is moved forwardly and backwardly by means of Q the above described latch retainer drive M0, 200,

substantially simultaneously with the forward and backward movements of the filler sinkers 44- driven by the sinker bar drive including'the sinker If desired, however, the latch rebar shaft 34. taining mechanism I90, I 88 may also be driven by another drive associated with the main cam shaft.

Figs. 8-13 illustrate the cooperation of above described knitting implements controlled by the arrangement and shape of the various cams on the maincam shaft during one revolution of the main cam shaft, i. e. during one cycle ofknitting operations.

The positionof the knitting implements shown; in Fig. 8 corresponds to the position of theknitting implements shown in Figs. 3 and 7, wherein the latch needles 64 are in their highest position, and the filler sinkers44, the warp guides 94, and-the latch retaining wire I88 are in their retracted extremebackward position.

incorporation into the fabric produced by the Said connecting Filler.

\ thread I36p laid during a preceding movement of the. filler thread carrier (not shown in; Fig. 8) is at this interval of the knitting operation. in front of the latch needles 64 for a subsequent l accuses 7 cam shaft ".(rnotv shown :in'iFig. 8). :is in :a -po'sition which is- .called' hereinafternts starting position.

.i.-Ateria;rotation:oi the maincam shaft through an angleof approximately 75 .from above men-' tionedstarting position, the knitting implements are: in: .theposition shown in Fig. 9. The latch needles, the 'filler'sinkers :44, and the latch retaining. wire I88 are still in the same'position as in.-I'lig-. 8, the"warp guides Sfl, however, are now in their extreme lforward position, and in the meantime the filler thread carrier has been moved along the latchineedles for laying .fresh filler thread I135 onto the guidin elements H34, W6, W8. ,After a rotation of the main cam shaft through an. angle of approximately 195" from above mentioncdi starting position, the latch needles 64 are in. their lowest position shown in Fig. 10 having formed :loops from warp yarn fed .by the warp guides 95 and'having incorporated the filler thread [36p (shown in, Figs. 8 and 9) into the fabric. Thegiabric and the filler thread 136p are not shown-in Fig. '10. Now, the'filler sinkers 44 and the .latch retaining wire Hi8 start their forward movement.

During said forward movement of the filler sinkers, 44, their notches 2I2 come into engage- V ment with the filler-thread I36 laid onto the guid-.

ingelements 104, H16, I68 for-pushing same forwardly as illustrated by Fig. 11. Said Fig. '11 shows an intermediate position of the filler sinkers 44 :and the latch retaining wire 288 during theinsubstantially simultaneous forward movement, and the-position of the knitting implements shown in said Fig. 11 is reached after a rotation of the main foam shaft through an angle of ap-- proximately 215 from :above mentioned starting position.

After a rotation of'the main cam shaft through an angle of approximately 225, the filler sinkers 44 and the latch retaining'wire I88 are in their extreme forward positions shown in Fig. 12. The fillerv sinkersnow place the filler thread I36 in front of the latch needles 64 being in 'an inter-f mediateposition during their upward movement, sothat the filler thread may consequently be incorporated into the fabric.

Fig. 13 illustrates the position of the knitting implements after a rotation of the main cam shaftthroughan angle of'substantially 240 from above mentioned starting position. The latch needles 6A. are new in a somewhat higher position but not yet in the highest position. The filler sinkers being somewhat retracted are in such a position that, during a predetermined interval, the edge 2M thereof may hold down the fabric hanging on the latch needles when the latter ,are moved upwardly. Thus, the filler sinkers now act as a stitch. comb holding. down the .fabric whereby the. loops formed previously become dis.-

engag'ed from the latches I22 of the. latch, nee-.v dles, which, at this time, are automatically.

opened. Sucha disengagement .oi theloops from the openllatches -I22 takes place. under alce'rtain.

tension in the fabric, so that it may happen, that the latches swing automatically upward under thereaction. of said tension. Such an automatic.

upward swinging of said latches G22 would cause an undesired closing of the latch needles which must be eliminated. As shown Fig. 113., at this,

' interval of the knitting operations, theglatch r taming-wire 188, being still in the same position asshown in Fig. 12, is in the ;path of the latch needles, so that if they should swing upwardly; they abut again'stthe latch-retaining wire l88 as soonsasthey reach the position? shown in 3-. dash and carries; Thus, the latch retainingwire I38 prevents a closing of the latch needles, as the latches -22 will return 'into their proper open position by-"the action of theirown weight after an engagement with the latch retaining wire.

After the performance or a full revolution, i. e. a rotation through 360 from the starting -position, the knitting implements are again in the positionshown in Fig. 8.

As-willbe readily understood from above, the substantially simultaneous movement of the filler sinkers 44 and the latch retaining wire H38 prevents an undesired abutment of the filler sinkers 44 against the latch retaining wire, when the filler sinkers are moved forwardly. As maybe seen from Figs.8--l3, the angle of oscillation of the filler'sinkers is larger than the angle of oscillation of the latch retaining wire $88. A line adjustment-of said ratio-of the angles of oscillation may be obtained by the adjustable connecting link 20!) shown in Fig. 4.

Furthermore, the movable arrangement or the latch retaining wire 188 permits thefiller sinkers and the latch retaining wire to be in close proximity to each other when the filler sinkers are in their extreme forward position.

"Furthermore, it willbe obvious, that the warp yarns fed by the warp guides -94 to the latch needles li lcannotcome into engagement withthe latch-retaining wire l88,-when the warp guides 94 are moved from theirforward position shown in Fig. '13 into their rearward position shown in Fig. 8, as substantially at the same time the latch retaming wire 1-88 is also moved backwardly. 'Consequently, undesired-vibrations of thelatch retaining wire caused by an engagement of warp yarns with said wire are eliminated and likewise changes in the-tension of the warp yarns caused by a bending of warp'yarns over the latch retaining wire are prevented.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the fabric 2H5 produced by the knitting implements is taken up by a take-up roller 218 after passing over a series of tension rollers 228. The take-up roller 2 l 8 and the tension rollers 229 are driven in any suitable mannerby the main drive of the machine;

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, lout it is understood that this disclosure isdor --the purpose of illustration and that various omissions or changes in shape, proportion or arrangement in parts as well as the substitution-of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set iorth in the appended claims.

Forerzample, "the warp knitting'machine described-above and shown in the drawings may be operated without the'use of the filler thread carrier and its drive, or else, the sinker arrange-- ment and the latch retaining mechanism according to the invention maybe appliedto warp k'nitting-machines whi'ch haveno filler'thread carrierguides; aguide'bar driveassociated with Said'gulde bar ior periodic act-nations thereof with its warn guides so as to feed warp yarnsto said needles,

capable of holding down at predetermined intervals the fabric produced by the knitting imple ments of the machine, a stationary trick plate having apertures for the passage of said needles, and a series of spaced stationary guiding elements, said series of spaced stationary guiding elements being secured to a stationary part of the machine and extending between saidstationary part and said stationary trick plate, and each of said sinkers extending into'a space between said spaced stationary guiding elements.

2. A warp knitting machine comprising: a needle bar carrying a series of needles, a needle bar drive associated with said needle bar for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same with its needles in a predetermined direction, at least one guide bar carrying a series of warp guides, a guide bar drive associated with said guide bar for periodic actuations thereof with its warp guides so as to feed warp yarns to said needles, a sinker bar carrying a series of sinkers, a sinker bar drive associated with said sinker bar for imparting periodic movements to same with its sinkers toward and away from the direction of the strokes of said needles, said sinkers being ar ranged and shaped so as to form a stitch comb capable of holding down at predetermined intervals the fabric produced by the knitting implements of the machine, a stationary trick plate having slots for the passage of said needles, and a series of spaced stationary guiding elements, one end of each of said spaced stationary guiding elements being secured to a stationary part of the machine opposite said trick plate, the other end of each of said spaced stationary guiding elements being in loose engagement with a portion of said trick plate adjacent a slot thereof, and each of said sinkers extending into a spacebetween said spaced stationary guiding elements.

3. A warp knitting machine comprisingi a needle bar carrying a series of latch needles, a

needle bar drive associated with said needle bar for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same with its latch needles in a predetermined direction, at least one guide bar carrying a series of warp guides, a guide bar drive associated with said guide bar for periodic actuations thereof with its warp guides so as to feed warp yarns to said latch needles, a sinker bar carrying a series of sinkers, a sinker bar drive associated with said sinker bar for imparting periodic movements to same with its sinkers toward and away from .the direction of the strokes of said latch needles, said sinkers being arranged and shaped so as to form a stitch comb capable of holding down at predetermined intervals the fabric produced by the knitting implements of the machine, a latch retaining mechanism, said latch retaining mecha nism including reciprocable members carrying a latch retaining wire extending substantially parallel to said latch needles, and a latch retainer drive associated with said latch retaining mechanism for imparting periodic movements to said latch retaining wire toward and away from the direction of the strokes of said latch needles, said latch retaining wire being arranged for being in the path of the latches of the open latch needles so as to prevent a closing thereof when the latch 10- .7 retaining wire is substantially in its extreme position near the latch needles at the time gagement of the loops of the fabric from the latches of the open latch needles.

5' 4. In a Warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 3, saidsinker bar drive and said latch retainer drive being coupled with each other for a substantially simultaneous movement of said sinkggers and said latch retaining wire in same directions.

5. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 3, said latch retaining mechanism including a swingable arm on each side of the machine,

said latch retaining wire being stretched between 5 "said swingable arms, and said latch retainer drive being associated with said swingable arms.

6. A warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 3 including a series of spaced stationary guiding elements mounted on a stationary .part of the 0"machine, each of said sinkers extending into a space between said spaced stationary guiding elements whereby said sinkers are guided by said l stationary guiding elements during a movement thereof.

5 N 7. A warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 3 including a stationary trick plate having apertures for the passage of said needles, and a series of spaced stationary guiding elements, said series 0f spaced stationary guiding elements being secured to a stationary part of the machine and extending between said stationary part and said stationary trick plate, and each of said sinkers.

extending into a space between said stationary guiding elements. r

3 including a stationary trick plate having slots for the passage of said needles, and a series of spaced stationary guiding elements, one end of each of said spaced stationary guiding elements being secured to a stationary partof the machine opposite said trick plate, the other end of each of said spaced stationary guiding elements being in loose engagement with a portion of said trick plate adjacent a slot thereof, and each of said sinkers extending into a space between said spaced stationary guiding elements.

9. A warp knitting machine comprising: a

needle bar carrying a series of needles, a needle bar drive associated with said needle bar for im- 5 partingperiodic reciprocating movements to same with its needles in a predetermined direction, at least one guide bar carrying a series of warp guides, a guide bar drive associated with said guide bar for periodic actuations thereof with its warp guides so as to feed warp yarns to said needles, I

at least one filler thread carrier, a carrier drive associated with said filler thread carrier for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same so as to lay filler thread substantially parallel to said series of needles, a series of spaced stationary elements arranged in such a relationship to said reciprocable filler thread carrierthat filler thread laid by the latter is placed onto said series of spaced stationary elements, a sinker bar carrying a series of filler sinkers, and a sinker bar drive associated with said sinker bar for imparting periodic movements toward and away from the direction of the strokes of said needles, said'filler sinkers being arranged for placing, during their movement toward said needles, the filler thread laid onto said spaced stationary elements in position to be incorporated into fabric produced by the knitting implements of the machine, and said filler sinkers and said spaced stationary elements being arranged in such a relationship to each other that of disen- 8. A warp knitting machine as claimed in claim bar for periodic actuations thereof with its warp guides so as to feed warp yarns to said needles, at least one filler thread carrier, a carrier drive associated with said filler thread carrier for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same so as to lay filler thread substantially parallel to said series of needles, a seriesof spaced stationary elements arranged in such a relationship to said reciprocable filler thread carrier that filler thread laid by the latter is placed onto said series of spaced stationary elements, each of said spaced elements being engaged with a stationary part of the machine at both of its ends, a sinker bar carrying a series of filler sinkers, and a sinker oar drive associated with said sinker bar for imparting periodic movements toward and away from thedirection of the strokes of said needles, said filler sinkers being arranged for placing, during their movement toward said needles, the filler thread laidonto said stationary elements in post tion to be incorporated into fabric produced by the knitting implements of the macmne, and each of said filler sinkers extending into a space between said spaced stationary elements.

11. A warp knitting machine comprising: a needlebar carrying a series of needles, a needle bar drive associated with said needle bar for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to with its needles in a predetermined direction, at least one guide barcarrying a series or warp guides, a guide'bar drive associated with said guide bar for periodic actuations thereof with its warp guides so as to feed warp yarns to said needles, a series of spaced stationary-guiding elements, at least one filler thread carrier, a carri r drive associated with said fillerthread carrier for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same so as to lay filler thread substantially parallel to said series of needles onto said-series of spaced stationary guiding elements, a sinker bar carrying a series of-filler sinkers, and a sinker bar drive associated with'saidsinker bar for imparting periodic movements toward and away from the direction of the strokes of said needles, said filler sinkers being arranged for placing, during their movement toward said needles, thefiller threadlaid ontosaid stationary guiding elements in position to be incorporated into fabric produced by theknitting implements of the machine, each of said filler sinkers extending into a space between said spaced stationary guiding elements, and the upperedge, of each of said spacedstationary guiding elements being shaped for shielding the free ends of said filler sinkers when they are in their extreme retracted position away from said needles.

12'. A warp knitting machine comprising: a needle bar carrying a series of needles, a needle bar drive associated with said needle bar for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same with its needles in a predetermined direction, at least one guide bar carrying a series of. warp guides, a guide bar drive associated, with said guide bar for periodic actuations thereof withits warp agegsso 12 7 guides so as to feed warpyarns to said needles, a stationary trick plate having apertures for. the passage of said needles, a series of spaced stationary guiding elements, said series of spaced stationary guiding elements being secured to a stationary part of the machine and extending be tween said stationary part and said stationary trick plate, at least one filler thread, carrier, a carrier drive associated with said filler threadcarrier for imparting periodic reciprocatingmovements to same so as to lay filler thread substan: tially parallel to said series of needles onto said series of spaced stationary guiding elements, a

sinker bar carrying a series of filler sinkers, and a sinker bar driveassociated with said sinker bar for imparting periodic movements toward and, away from the direction of the strokes of said needles, said filler sinkersbeing arranged for placing, during their movement toward saidneedles, the fillerthread laid onto said stationary guiding elements in position to'be incorporated into fabric produced by the knitting implements oithe ma chine, and each of said filler sinkers extending into a space between said spaced stationary guiding elements.

13. A warp knitting machine comprising: a,

needle bar carrying a series of needles, a needle bar drive associated with said needle bar ier imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same with its needles in a predetermineddirection, at. least one guide bar carrying a series, of warp.

slot thereof, at least one filler thread carrier, a.v carrier drive associated with said filler. thread; carrier for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same so as to layfiller thread substantially parallel to said series of needles onto said series of spaced stationary guiding elements, a sinker bar carrying a series of filler sinkers, and a sinker bar drive associated with said sinker .bar

for imparting periodic movements, toward and away from the direction of the strokes oi said needles, said filler ,sinkers being, arranged for placing, during their movement toward said needles, the filler threadv laid onto said. stationary guiding elements in position to be incorporated into fabric produced bythe knitting implements of the machine, and each of said filler sinkers extending into a space between said spaced stationary guiding elements,

14. A warp knitting machine, comprising; a needle bar carrying a series of l'atchneedles, a needle bar drive associated with said needlew bar for imparting periodic reciprocating movementsv to same with its latchneedles in a predetermined direction, at least onev guide ,bar carrying, aseries or" warp guides,,a guide bar drive associated. with said guide bar for periodic actuatlons thereof with its warp guides soas to feedwarp yarns to said latch needles, at least oneiiller thread carrier, a carrier drive associatedwith said filler thread carrier for imparting periodic. reciprocating movements to same so as, to lay filler thread sub-.- stantially parallelto said seriesroilatch needles,

a sinker bar carrying, a. series .of filler sinkers a.

13 sinker bar drive associated with said sinker bar for imparting periodic movements to same with its filler sinkers toward and away from the direction of the strokes of said latch needles, said filler sinkers being arranged for placing, during their movement towards said latch needles, the filler thread laid by said filler thread carrier in p051 tion to be incorporated into fabric produced by the knitting implements of the machine, a iatch retaining mechanism, said latch retaining mech anism including reciprocable members carrying a latch retaining wire extending substantially parallel to said latch needles, and a latch retainer drive associated with said latch retaining mechanism for imparting periodic movements to said latch retaining wire toward and away from the direction of the strokes of said latch needles, said latch retaining wire being arranged for being in the path of the latches of the open latch needles so. as to prevent a closing thereof when the latch retaining wire is substantially in its extreme position near the latch needles at the time of disengagement of the loops of the fabric from the latches of the open latch needles.

15. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 14, said sinker bar drive and said latch retainer drive being coupled with each other for a substantially simultaneous movement of said filler sinkers and said latch retaining wire in same directions.

16. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 14, said latch retaining mechanism including a swingable arm on each side of the machine, said latch retaining wire being stretched between said swingable arms, and said latch retainer drive being associated with said swingable arms.

17. A warp knitting machine comprising: a needle bar carrying a series of latch needles, a needle bar drive associated with said needle bar for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same with its latch needles in a predetermined direction, at least one guide bar carrying a series of warp guides, a guide bar drive associated with said guide bar for periodic actuations thereof with its warp guides so as to feed warp yarns to said latch needles, a series of spaced stationary guiding elements, at least one filler thread carrier, a carrier drive associated with said filler thread carrier for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same so as to lay filler thread substantially parallel to said series of latch needles onto said series of spaced stationary guiding elements, a sinker bar carrying a series of filler sinkers, each of said filler sinkers extending into a space between said spaced stationary guiding elements, a sinker bar drive associated with said sinker bar for imparting periodic movements to same with its filler sinkers toward and away from the direction of the strokes of said latch needles, said filler sinkers being arranged for placing, during their movement towards said latch needles, the filler thread laid onto said stationary guiding elements in position to be incorporated into fabric produced by the knitting implements of the machine, a latch retaining mechanism, said latch retaining mechanism including reciprocable members carrying a latch retaining wire extending substantially parallel to said latch needles, and a latch retainer drive associated with said latch retaining mechanism for imparting periodic movements to said latch retaining wire toward and away from the direction of the strokes of said latch needles, said latch retaining wire being arranged for being in the path of the latches of the open latch needles so as to prevent a closing thereof when the latch retaining wire is substantially in its extreme position near the latch needles at the time of disengagement of the loops of the fabric from the latches of the open latch needles.

18. A warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 17 including: a stationary trick plate having apertures for thepassage of said latch needles, said series of spaced stationary guiding elements being secured to a stationary part of the machine and extending between said stationary part and said stationary trick plate.

19, A warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 17 including: a stationary trick plate having slots for the passage of said latch needles, one end of each of said spaced stationary guiding elements being secured to a stationary part of the machine opposite said trick plate, and the other end of each of said spaced stationary guiding elements being in loose engagement with a portion of said trick plate adjacent a slot thereof.

20. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 17, said sinker bar drive andsaid latch retainer drive being coupled with each other for a substantially simultaneous movement of said filler sinkers and said latch retaining wire in same directions.

21. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 1'7, said latch retaining mechanism including a swingable arm on each side of the machine, said latch retaining wire being stretched between said swingable arms and said latch retainer drive being associated with said swingable arms.

22. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 17, the upper edge of each of said spaced stationary guiding elements being shaped for shielding the free ends of said filler sinkers when they are in their extreme retracted position.

FRITZ LAMBACH,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,951,104 Mills Mar. 13, 1934 2,136,368 Amidon Nov. 15, 1938 2,155,145 Morton et'al. Apr. 18, 1939 2,247,092 Klumpp et al June 24, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date t 182 Great Britain Jan. 24, 1855 353,317 Great Britain July 23, 1931 

